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/ 26 February 2008

EU ‘afraid of losing foothold in Africa’

The European Union is concerned about competing with China for access to resources and markets in Africa, which partly explains its drive to hook African states into economic partnership agreements (EPAs). According to South Africa’s deputy minister of trade, the EU is afraid that it will lose its foothold on the African continent

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/ 26 February 2008

Schalk Burger suspended for two weeks

Stormers flank Schalk Burger has received a two-week suspension after being found guilty of ”unsportsmanlike behaviour”. Burger’s suspension runs from February 23 to March 8, inclusive. He has a right to appeal the sentence. His suspension is a big setback for the Stormers, who are yet to win a match in this year’s Super 14 competition.

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/ 26 February 2008

Dark anniversary for Darfur

The deadly conflict in Darfur entered its sixth year on Tuesday with no solution in sight, as Khartoum continued to resist the full deployment of a peacekeeping force amid a fresh wave of bombings. The anniversary coincides with visits to the country by Washington’s special envoy for Sudan, Richard Williamson, and China’s point man for Darfur, Liu Giujin, for top-level talks.

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/ 26 February 2008

KZN lauded for political tolerance

KwaZulu-Natal has been able to show the world that when power is contested, people do not have to die, Dr Brigalia Bam, chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, said on Tuesday. She was speaking at the KwaZulu-Natal legislature in Pietermaritzburg on preparations for the 2009 election.

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/ 26 February 2008

IMF: New subprime losses main risk to world growth

World economic growth could miss the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) forecast of 4,1% this year if United States and European banks disclose more major losses on the subprime market, the head of the IMF said on Monday. Dominique Strauss-Kahn warned that emerging economies would not escape the effects of the slowdown in rich countries.

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/ 26 February 2008

Tourism figures growing, says Van Schalkwyk

The number of foreign visitors to South Africa grew by just under 9% last year, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Tuesday. ”I am pleased to announce that the overall foreign arrivals increased by 8,6% from January to November 2007,” he told a business tourism conference in Sandton.

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/ 26 February 2008

JSE sharply higher on world markets

South African stocks were sharply higher at midday on Tuesday following in the footsteps of European markets, but a stronger rand restricted gains. Above-forecast economic growth data added to the positive sentiment. At 11.59am, the all-share index was up 1,22% at 30 176,680, thanks to a 3,08% gain in banks.